Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Adolescent Dating Violence Experiences Among Sexual Minority Youth and Implications for Subsequent Relationship Quality

  • Published:
Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Research reveals a disturbingly high prevalence of dating violence among American youth. However, until recently, this research has not tended to focus on sexual minority youth. This is of concern as numerous studies have shown that individuals who experience such violence are at increased risk for adverse mental and physical health outcomes, including increased risk of HIV infection among LGBTQ populations. Research findings also indicate that individuals who are victimized as adolescents are at increased risk for victimization during their young adult years. The current study assessed adolescent and current dating violence among a sample (N = 109) of college-age sexual minority (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning) youth. Data were collected through use of a structured, close-ended questionnaire that contained measures of demographic characteristics and dating violence experiences. Descriptive analyses are presented that identify prevalence rates and associations between adolescent and current dating violence. High rates of all forms of violence were identified during both adolescence and college years. In addition, relationships between adolescent and college age dating violence were identified. Results point to a high rate of dating violence among this population and a need for services targeting this uniquely vulnerable population to reduce risk of related health consequences and risk behaviors and subsequent relationship violence.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Allen, D. J., & Oleson, T. (1999). Shame and internalized homophobia in gay men. Journal of Homosexuality, 37(3), 33–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Alleyne-Green, B., Coleman-Cowger, V. H., & Henry, D. B. (2012). Dating violence perpetration and/or victimization and associated sexual risk behaviors among a sample of inner-city African American and Hispanic adolescent females. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 27(8), 2012.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ashley, O. S., & Foshee, V. A. (2005). Adolescent help-seeking for dating violence: Prevalence, sociodemographic correlates, and sources of help. Journal of Adolescent Health, 36, 25–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Balsam, K. F., & Szymanski, D. M. (2005). Relationship quality and domestic violence in women’s same-sex relationships: The role of minority stress. Psychology of Women Quarterly, 29, 258–269.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Banyard, V. L., & Cross, C. (2008). Consequences of teen dating violence: Understanding intervening variable in ecological context. Violence Against Women, 14(9), 998–1013.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Bauermeister, J. A., Johns, M. M., Sandfort, T. G., Eisenberg, A., Grossman, A. H., & D’Augelli, A. R. (2010). Relationship trajectories and psychological well-being among sexual minority youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 39, 1148–1163.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Belshaw, S. H., Siddique, J. A., Tanner, J., & Osho, G. S. (2012). The relationship between dating violence and suicidal behaviors in a national sample of adolescents. Violence and Victims, 27(4), 580–591.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Black, B. M., Tolman, R. M., Callahan, M., Saunders, D. G., & Weisz, A. N. (2008). When will adolescents tell someone about dating violence victimization? Violence Against Women, 14(7), 741–758.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cano, A., & Vivian, D. (2001). Life stressors and husband-to-wife violence. Aggression and Violent Behavior, 6, 459–480.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carballo-Dieguez, A., Dolezal, C., Leu, C.S., Nieves, L., Diaz, F., Decena, C, … Balan, I. (2005). A randomized controlled trial to test an HIV-prevention intervention for Latino gay and bisexual men: Lessons learned. AIDS Care, 17(3), 314–328.

  • Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2016). Understanding teen dating violence fact sheet. Atlanta, GA: CDC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Dank, M., Lachman, P., Zweig, J. M., & Yahner, J. (2014). Dating violence experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 43, 846–857.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • DiPlacido, J. (1998). Minority stress among lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. In G. M. Herek (Ed.), Stigma and sexual orientation (pp. 138–159). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, D. K., Davis, K. S., & Barrios, L. (2007). Associations of dating violence victimization with lifetime participation, co-occurrence, and early initiation of risk behaviors among U.S. high school adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 22, 585–602.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Eaton, D.K., Kann, L., Kinchen, S., Shanklin, S., Ross, J., Hawkins, J, … Wechsler, H. (2010). Youth risk behavior surveillance – United States, 2009. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), 59(SS-5), 1–108.

  • Edwards, K. M., & Sylaska, K. M. (2013). The perpetration of intimate partner violence among LGBTQ college youth: The role of minority stress. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42, 1721–1731.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ely, G. E., Nugent, W. R., Cerel, J., & Vimbba, M. (2011). The relationship between suicidal thinking and dating violence in a sample of adolescent abortion patients. Crisis, 32(5), 246–253.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elze, D. E. (2002). Against all odds: The dating experiences of lesbian and bisexual adolescent women. Journal of Lesbian Studies, 6(1), 17–29.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Follins, L. D. (2011). Identity development of young black lesbians in New York City: An exploratory study. Journal of Gay & Lesbian Mental Health, 15, 368–381.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Foshee, V. A., Linder, G. F., Bauman, K. E., Langwick, S. A., Arriaga, X. B., Heath, J. L., … Bangdiwala, S. (1996). The Safe Dates project: Theoretical basis, evaluation design, and selected baseline findings. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 12, 39–47.

  • Freedner, N., Freed, L. H., Yang, W., & Austin, S. B. (2002). Dating violence among gay, lesbian, and bisexual adolescents: Results from a community survey. Journal of Adolescent Health, 31, 469–474.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillum, T. L., & DiFulvio, G. T. (2012). “There’s so much at stake”: Sexual minority youth discuss dating violence. Violence Against Women, 18(7), 725–745.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Gillum, T. L., & DiFulvio, G. T. (2014). Examining dating violence and its mental health consequences among sexual minority youth. In D. Peterson & V. R. Panfil (Eds.), Handbook of LGBT communities, crime and justice (pp. 431–448). New York: Springer.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Glover, J. A., Galliher, R. V., & Lamere, T. G. (2009). Identity development and exploration among sexual minority adolescents: Examination of a multidimensional model. Journal of Homosexuality, 56, 77–101.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Halpern, C. T., Young, M. L., Waller, M. W., Martin, S. L., & Kupper, L. L. (2004). Prevalence of partner violence in same-sex romantic and sexual relationships in a national sample of adolescents. Journal of Adolescent Health, 35, 124–131.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Hassouneh, D., & Glass, N. (2008). The influence of gender role stereotyping on women’s experiences of same-sex intimate partner violence. Violence Against Women, 14(3), 310–325.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Herek, G. M., Cogan, J. C., Gillis, J. R., & Glunt, E. K. (1997). Correlates of internalized homophobia in a community sample of lesbians and gay men. Journal of the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association, 2, 17–25.

    Google Scholar 

  • Howard, D. E., Wang, M. Q., & Yan, F. (2007). Psychosocial factors associated with reports of dating violence among U.S. adolescent females. Adolescence, 42(166), 311–324.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ismail, F., Berman, H., & Ward-Griffin, C. (2007). Dating violence and the health of young women: A feminist narrative study. Health Care Women International, 28(5), 453–477.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Johnson, S. B., Frattaroli, S., Campbell, J., Wright, J., Pearson-Fields, A. S., & Chen, T. L. (2005). “I know what love means”. Gender-based violence in the lives of urban adolescents. Journal of Women’s Health, 14(2), 172–179.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Letellier, P., & Holt, S. (2000). The California Report on lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender domestic violence. Los Angeles: L.A. Gay and Lesbian Center.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lock, J., & Kleis, B. N. (1998). A primer on homophobia for the child and adolescent psychiatrist. Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 37(6), 671–673.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, F., Stone, D. M., & Tharp, A. T. (2014). Physical dating violence victimization among sexual minority youth. American Journal of Public Health, 104, e66–e73.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Marrow, D. F. (2004). Social work practice with gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender adolescents. Families in Society, 85(1), 91–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Martin-Storey, A. (2015). Prevalence of dating violence among sexual minority youth: Variations across gender, sexual minority identity and gender of sexual partners. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 44, 211–224.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Massachusetts Department of Education. (2006). 2005 Massachusetts Youth Risk Behavior Survey Results. Boston: Author.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meyer, I. H. (2003). Prejudice, social stress, and mental health in lesbian, gay, and bisexual populations: Conceptual issues and research evidence. Psychological Bulletin, 129, 674–697.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, R. L, Jr. (2007). Legacy denied: African American gay men, AIDS, and the Black Church. Social Work, 52(1), 51–61.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miller, S. (2011). African American lesbian identity management and identity development in the context of family and community. Journal of Homosexuality, 58(4), 547–563.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Murry, V. M., Brown, P. A., Brody, G. H., Cutrona, C. E., & Simons, R. L. (2001). Racial discrimination as a moderator of the links among stress, maternal psychological functioning, and family relationships. Journal of Marriage and the Family, 63, 915–926.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ocampo, B. W., Shelley, G. A., & Jaycox, L. H. (2007). Latino teens talk about help seeking and help giving in relation to dating violence. Violence Against Women, 13(2), 172–189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Otis, M. D., Rostosky, S. S., Riggle, E. D. B., & Hamrin, R. (2006). Stress and relationship quality in same-sex couples. Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 23(1), 81–99.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pathela, P., & Schillinger, J. A. (2010). Sexual behaviors and sexual violence: Adolescents with opposite-, same-, or both-sex partners. Pediatrics, 126(5), 879–886.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Reuter, T. R., Sharp, C., & Temple, J. R. (2015). Exploratory study of teen dating violence in sexual minority youth. Partner Abuse, 6(1), 8–28.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rivers, I. (2004). Recollections of bullying at school and their long-term implications for lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals. Crisis, 25(4), 169–175.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rothman, E. F., Johnson, R. M., Azrael, D., Hall, D. M., & Weinberg, J. (2010). Perpetration of physical assault against dating partners, peers, and siblings among a locally representative sample of high school students in Boston, Massachusetts. Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, 164, 1118–1124.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Rothman, E. F., Johnson, R. M., Young, R., Weinberg, J., Azrael, D., & Molnar, B. E. (2011). Neighborhood-level factors associated with physical dating violence perpetration: Results of a representative survey conducted in Boston, MA. Journal of Urban Health, 88(2), 201–213.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, C., & Futterman, D. (1997). Lesbian and gay youth: Care and counseling. Adolescent Medicine, 8(2), 207–374.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ryan, C., Huebner, D., Diaz, R. M., & Sanchez, J. (2009). Family rejection as a predictor of negative health outcomes in White and Latino lesbian, gay, and bisexual young adults. Pediatrics, 123(1), 346–352.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sandfort, T. G. M., Melendez, R. M., & Diaz, R. M. (2007). Gender nonconformity, homophobia, and mental distress in Latino gay and bisexual men. Journal of Sex Research, 44(2), 181–189.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schechter, S. (1982). Women and male violence. Cambridge, MA: South End Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shidlo, A. (1994). Internalized homophobia: Conceptual and empirical issues in measurement. In B. Greene & G. M. Herek (Eds.), Lesbian and gay psychology: Theory, research, and clinical applications (pp. 176–205). Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications.

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Smith, P. H., White, J. W., & Holland, L. J. (2003). A longitudinal perspective on dating violence among adolescents and college age women. American Journal of Public Health, 93, 1104–1109.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Straus, M. A., Hambly, S. L., & Warren, W. L. (2003). The conflict tactics scale handbook. Los Angeles: Western Psychological Services.

    Google Scholar 

  • Teitelman, A. M., Ratcliffe, S. J., Morales-Aleman, M. M., & Sullivan, C. M. (2008). Sexual relationship power, intimate partner violence, and condom use among minority urban girls. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 23(12), 1694–1712.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Temple, J. R., & Freeman, D. H. (2011). Dating violence and substance use among ethnically diverse adolescents. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 26, 701–718.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Tigert, L. M. (2001). The power of shame: Lesbian battering as a manifestation of homophobia. Women & Therapy, 23(3), 73–85.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weisz, A. N., Tolman, R. M., Callahan, M. R., Saunders, D. G., & Black, B. M. (2007). Informal helpers’ responses when adolescents tell them about dating violence or romantic relationship problems. Journal of Adolescence, 30(5), 853–868.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • West, C. M., & Rose, S. (2000). Dating aggression among low-income African American youth. Violence Against Women, 6, 470–494.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • White, J. W., & Smith, P. H. (2009). Covariation in the use of physical and sexual intimate partner aggression among adolescents and college-age men: A longitudinal analysis. Violence Against Women, 15, 24–43.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by a Faculty Research Grant/Healey Endowment Grant awarded to the author by the University of Massachusetts Amherst [Grant Number P1FRG0000000038]. The author wishes to thank all individuals who participated in this research, sharing their experiences, and the research assistant who diligently recruited for this study.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Promotion and Policy, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 301 Arnold House, 715 N. Pleasant St., Amherst, MA, 01003-9304, USA

    Tameka L. Gillum

Authors
  1. Tameka L. Gillum
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Tameka L. Gillum.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Gillum, T.L. Adolescent Dating Violence Experiences Among Sexual Minority Youth and Implications for Subsequent Relationship Quality. Child Adolesc Soc Work J 34, 137–145 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-016-0451-7

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10560-016-0451-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation